Numerous celebrities, including Oprah, Amy Schumer, Rebel Wilson, Sharon Osbourne, and Meghan Trainor, have publicly discussed using or being offered weight-loss drugs like Ozempic (semaglutide) and related medications, with experiences ranging from successful weight loss to side effects, sometimes blurring the lines between medical need (like diabetes) and cosmetic use, while others like Sophie Turner have criticized its trendiness. These drugs suppress appetite, but some stars, like Chrissy Teigen, used them for deeper emotional reasons, while others, such as Remi Bader, warned about rebound weight gain after stopping.
While the likes of Rebel Wilson and Sharon Osbourne have become poster children for Ozempic, other stars including Whoopi Goldberg and Meghan Trainor have been honest about taking a similar drug, Mounjaro, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist injection that's also designed to suppress the appetite.
During a January 29 appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Schumer elaborated on how while the weight loss results were impressive, Ozempic made her so sick that she felt like she was "shriveling away." “I lost 30 pounds so quick. I looked great, but I couldn't lift my head off the pillow.
Key Takeaways
Patients typically lose around 5 pounds per month on Semaglutide (Ozempic®). Weight loss results vary based on dosage, body composition, and lifestyle. Combining the medication with diet and activity boosts success.
Actor Tracy Morgan revealed he gained 40 pounds while taking Ozempic, and experts say although it's less common, weight gain may occur on the medication if patients have a high calorie diet, insulin resistance or are taking too low of a dose.
Ozempic can lead to what is termed "Ozempic face," resulting in sagging and aging of the facial skin. To address these effects, lifestyle changes or facial fillers may be recommended by a healthcare professional.
Will you regain weight after stopping Ozempic? Let's get to your main question. While nothing is guaranteed, it is common to regain some weight after stopping Ozempic. A study found many people regain two-thirds or more of the weight they lost within a year of stopping the medication.
Key Milestones for Weight Loss with Ozempic
While taking Ozempic, avoiding certain foods can help you reduce side effects like nausea and constipation and can also ensure you're getting enough vitamins and nutrients on your reduced appetite. Some foods to eat less of include foods high in fat, sugary treats and drinks, alcohol, refined carbs, and spicy foods.
"Ozempic hands" is a slang term for the visible changes in hands due to rapid fat loss from GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, making them look thinner, bonier, and more aged with prominent veins, tendons, and thinner skin, as subcutaneous fat diminishes and skin doesn't fully contract quickly. It's not a formal diagnosis but a common cosmetic effect of significant weight loss, similar to "Ozempic face".
But about half of people with obesity on this class of medications, called glucagon-like peptide agonists or GLP-1s, stop taking it within a year. Studies suggest that most people discontinue their use due to the high cost and adverse gastrointestinal side-effects.
Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which mimics the naturally occurring hormone known as GLP-1. GLP-1 affects the hypothalamus and helps regulate a person's appetite. While on Ozempic, the digestive process slows down, and patients wind up feeling full for much longer periods of the day.
While facial drooping is a common side effect of Ozempic usage, it does not necessarily have to be permanent. It is possible that if someone stops taking Ozempic and maintains their weight loss, the facial skin can gradually retract and regain some fullness over time as it adjusts to the new slimmer shape.
It is not known if Ozempic® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people. Do not use Ozempic® if you or any of your family have ever had MTC, or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Rebel Wilson is getting candid about her weight loss journey. During her interview with The Sunday Times, the "Pitch Perfect" star shared she has tried weight loss drug Ozempic as one of the methods to help maintain her size.
Candidates for Ozempic for weight loss
Ozempic is designed to suppress the appetite by delaying gastric emptying; therefore, consuming large meals goes against the body's natural signals of fullness. Overeating may amplify these effects, leading to acute symptoms like nausea, cyclic vomiting, bloating, and even gastroparesis.
On average, losing 30 pounds occurs within 5-6 months of sustained treatment.
The main symptoms associated with Ozempic Face are:
Many patients are surprised to learn that medications like Ozempic and other weight loss drugs can sometimes trigger hair shedding. This isn't usually because of the medication itself, but rather the rapid weight loss, hormonal shifts, and nutritional deficiencies that may follow.
What to Expect After Your First Ozempic Injection. It's normal to experience some side effects from a new medication. According to Dr. Ali, the most common side effects reported from Ozempic are gastrointestinal, such as nausea, diarrhea or constipation, stomach cramping, and vomiting.
Will Ozempic or Wegovy reduce belly fat? The answer appears to be yes. That Novo Nordisk-funded study of almost 2,000 overweight or obese adults without diabetes also found their visceral fat — the type that accumulates in the belly — was reduced from baseline with semaglutide, along with their total fat mass.
You might still be hungry on Ozempic because it takes time for your body to adjust to the medication, your current dose might be too low, and your current eating habits aren't working alongside the medication. Other factors like our psychological health, exercise, and sleep can also impact our hunger levels on Ozempic.
The most common gastrointestinal side effect is nausea, which occurs in 15.8% to 20.3% of people taking Ozempic at doses of 0.5 mg or 1 mg, according to clinical trials. Others include vomiting (5% to 9.2%), diarrhea (8.5% to 8.8%), stomach-area pain (7.3% to 5.7%), and constipation (5% to 3.1%).